Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mar 4, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Ex-President of Argentina Eduardo Duhalde has become the favored candidate of pro-abortion groups in the upcoming national elections after joining with his wife in calling for the legalization of abortion in the country.

In response to the controversy surrounding legalized abortion sparked by the apology of the Health Minister, Gines Gonzalez, Duhalde confessed he was in favor of abortion in cases of rape or life of the mother.

Referring to the same position expressed by his wife, who is now a representative, Duhalde said he shares that idea; “therapeutic abortion is one thing about which very few disagree.”

Speaking on local radio, Duhalde noted that abortion is considered a crime by the country’s penal code but is rarely enforced.